'Harold and Kumar' Star Kal Penn Not 'Vanilla' Enough for Some Casting Directors

Kal Penn's long, strange trip back to the 'Harold & Kumar' franchise is well-documented -- Penn took two years off from acting to work with Barack Obama and his administration -- but despite the time away, it seems not much has changed since his sabbatical began. In an interview with Movieline's Jen Yamato, Penn discussed the "color bar" in Hollywood that prevents non-Caucasian actors and actresses from getting certain roles. While saying he's been "blessed" with the roles he's gotten -- in 'Harold & Kumar,' 'Superman Returns' and TV's '24' and 'How I Met Your Mother' among others -- Penn revealed that he still misses out on parts because of his race (Penn's parents are natives of India).